Checkmate
With a strong 80’s influence seeping through
the season, tartan, plaid, check, tweed and dogtooth checks
are all back with a vengeance. Of course all these lovely fabrics
are autumn favourites which crop up every few season’s
aren’t they; it’s just the styling that changes.
It’s a challenging trend to get right, given
that all the fashion pictures play up the contrasts and the
clashing elements, but for the ordinary wearer going overboard
is impractical, so remember the old adage less is certainly
more.
Consider also accessories, which may be all you want
to use of this trend, we’ve seen plenty of tartan, checks
and tweed on scarves, bags, belts and shoes.
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This tartan coat from Topshop
is a great example of subtlety. The tones are more muted than
traditional loud red and black designs. Styled simply with a
white vest and jeans and accessorised with a brown leather belt
worn round the waist of the coat, it creates a relaxed, sophisticated
aristocratic take on the trend. A mustard or green tank top
over a white shirt would look good and it would work equally
well over a work suit for an instant fashion look for the office.
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The check can be a subtle as
you like; this wide lapel trench style coat from Principles
proves that designs do not need to be loud and attention seeking.
This style of coat will work well with the androgyny trend we’ve
also flagged up. Wide lapels will widen the top of the body
and are a great device for tall and slender shapes. Curvy figures
should look for a single button fastening version with more
classically styled lapels.
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This houndstooth check coat
from Evans touches on both the modernist and
English eccentric trends with equal merit. It is essentially
a beautiful coat, the all over pattern has a lovely slimming
effect, the wide neckline and large lapel helps to disguise
a full bust, and the nipped in waist in a strong flash of black
is super flattering on curves. The leggings add a strong fashion
edge, but the coat would work equally well with wide leg trousers,
jeans and pencil skirts. Keep the line of the top underneath
simple to complement the cut of the coat and try a bright contrasting
colour such as mustard, pink, red or cobalt blue to set off
the check.
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This tartan scarf and print
dress from Topshop is a great example of how
to touch on the check trend, whatever your shape or size. Whether
worn with a black coat, chunky cardigan or mixed with prints
as shown here, just a small accent of tartan, check or plaid,
can be just as effective. One final tip; if in doubt save the
trend for your casual outfits, a relaxed sweater dress, boots
and tartan scarf is a chic weekend look, Tartan can be difficult
to pull off for sophisticated occasions or office attire. But
do experiment and enjoy, after all, that’s what fashion
is all about!
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Caryn says
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e-book especially written by me, to help you style your individual
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It’s fashion advice that will last you a life time.’
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